Can ear acupuncture help veterans with PTSD? new study tests it.

NCT ID NCT07021352

Recruiting now Symptom relief Sponsor: United States Naval Medical Center, San Diego Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tests whether ear acupuncture, combined with mindfulness therapy, can reduce emotional distress in active-duty service members and veterans with PTSD. Sixty-six participants will receive either mindfulness therapy alone or mindfulness plus a one-time ear acupuncture treatment using tiny needles that stay in place for up to a week. The goal is to see if adding acupuncture improves distress, sleep, alcohol use, and pain.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: ear acupuncture
What this could lead to: If it works, this could offer a simple, low-cost add-on treatment to help military personnel with PTSD feel less emotional distress.
What could go wrong: This is a small, early-stage study with no placebo control. The acupuncture needles stay in for days, which may cause discomfort or infection risk.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

post-traumatic stress disorder substance-related disorder

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

EMOTIONAL DISTRESS PTSD AND SUBSTANCE USE DISORDER

Contacts and locations

Locations

David Grant USAF Medical Center
RECRUITING

Fairfield, California, 94533, United States
Naval Medical Center San Diego
RECRUITING

San Diego, California, 92134, United States

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